After having been away in Virginia last week, I returned to find the news of Kim
Chrane's passing. It has taken me two days to finally be able to write this
post, one I had hoped never to find myself writing.

Those who know me also know I have been close to Kim since this list first
started in February of 2000. We used to have "chat nights" here and she was
'one of the regulars'. We met in person later that year and have been good
friends ever since. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to know her well.
For those of you who were not as fortunate, she was absolutely beautiful both
inside and out. She had a bubbly personality, great sense of humor, great
laugh, loved to have fun and was supportive and compassionate as well. She was
also a "do-er" and worked hard to raise awareness about brain tumors within her
own community and nationally.

We used to have a "glass of wine" or "cup of tea" on the phone each week. We
would call when we were situated with our glass or cup and sit and catch up on
the week. Unfortunately, we have been unable to do that for some time.

I was able to visit her in New Hampshire last summer and, even in the midst of
losing her ability to walk and live independently, her courage and positive
attitude were inspirational to me.

The world does not seem quite as sunny this week knowing she no longer is in it.
Please lets keep her in all our hearts... she is a very special angel whom I
will miss always.

A copy of Matthew Fullerton's email to the BRAINTMR list follows and gives the
details of her life and death for those who would like to read it.

Thank you to all of you who prayed for her and wished her well. I know she
appreciated all the messages and was comforted by knowing you were there.

With great sadness,
Trisha
______________________________________________________________

Matthew's email:


It is with great sadness that I am sending this message to let you know about
the recent death of our dear friend, Kim Chrane. A New Hampshire resident, Kim
was only 26 when she was diagnosed with her first meningioma. Over the next 17
years, she would endure 7 brain tumor surgeries, radiation treatments and a
variety of other medical
challenges. At the time of her death just over two weeks before her
44th birthday, she had progressed to malignant meningioma which had
metastasized to her lungs and liver.

Despite enormous health challenges, Kim never lost her positive spirit and
enthusiasm for life. She ended her email messages with "Keep Your Chin Up" and
playfully signed her name as Kim Chrane~ium. Over the past few years, she became
very active with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and also participated in many
activities to raise awareness about brain tumors.

Kim's story is one of the reasons we must continue to fight for
meningioma research that will lead to more effective treatments.
Hopefully one day there will be a way to prevent (or cure) these
tumors. Too often meningiomas are marginalized by medical
professionals, as patients are told these are "good brain tumors" and
easily controlled. While some people may be fortunate to have their
lives minimally affected by a meningioma diagnosis and treatment, many others
suffer long term disability and other complications. The loss of an amazing
young woman like Kim Chrane -- whose life was cut short far too early by
multiple meningiomas that became increasingly more aggressive -- is something we
must all remember as we keep raising awareness about what all types of brain
tumors do to the people they affect and their families.

KOKO! Remembering Keep-Your-Chin-Up-Kim,